Vaginal irrigator



(No Model.)

J. W. GORDON -& G. T. BLANCHARD.

VAGINAL IR'RIGATGR.

N. PETER; Phamumngnmr. wam; uuuuuu c.

Euren Smarts arnn'fr Erich,

JOHN WESLEY GORDON AND GEORGE TURNER BLANCHARD, OF PLYMOUTH, MAlNE.

VAGINAL IRRIGATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,128, dated November24:, 1.885.

Application filed May 24, i884. Serial No. 132,708.

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN WESLEY GOR- DoN and GEORGE TURNER BLANCHARD,both citizens of the United States, residing at Plymouth, in the countyof Penobscot and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Syringe;and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

Our joint invention consists of an improved device for irrigating andcleansing the human vagina and neck and mouth of the uterus, and forapplying medicated solutions thereto;

The drawing is an elevation,- partly in section, of a device embodying`our invention.

In construction we provide the hollow injection-tube E, made of metal,hard rubber, or other suitable material, and for convenience inhandling, and to favor the wear of the connecting rubber tubes orpiping, curved at its external manipulating end or extremity i, where itis connected with the forcing or discharging tube D of a double-actingor otherwise constructed syringe, hydrant, or fountain, C. The middleportion of the injectiontube is straight or nearly straight, as is alsothe internally-discharging portion or irrigating extremity E', whichterminates in an enlarged bulbous-formed nozzle, cl., of the sizegenerally used in vaginal syringes, perforated with a central andseveral lateral apertures, the number of apertures or perforations beinglimited or regulated by the necessities of the particular case inquestion or the special use to which the irrigation is to be applied.

At or near the external manipulating end t' or" the injection-tube andon the convex exterior of the bend or curve is soldered, brazed, orotherwise rigidly attached a ring, F, of metal or other suitablematerial, in which the finger may be inserted to steady and control theinstrument when in use.

For convenience of manufacture, economy of space, and ease ofmanipulation the injection-tube E is for a part of its length inclosedin and rigidly connected with a discharging or drainage tube, G, largerthan the injectiontube, and having the periphery of its forward orentering end beveled, and a suitable space, h h, is preserved betweenand around the outside ot' the injection-tube and the inner walls (Nomodel.)

of the discharging or drainage tube G to allow a free and sufficientflowage of all surplus iiuids resulting from the process of irrigation.rlhe injection-tube E is iixed in its relation to the Walls of thedrainage-tube G in any convenient method*as, for instance, by pins orlongitudinal ribs on the outside of the injection-tube, which serve todefine and sustain the relative distance and position of' the twotubes;but in the present case we use a short lip, lformed on the beveled endof and projecting from the drainage-tube G, and soldered to theinjection-tube E in such a manner as, when acting in connection with thesoldered or brazed joint K, to maintain the relative positions of thetubes, or, in other words, hold the injection-tube in such a way thatthere shall be no contact of the injection-tube with the drainagetubeforward of their union, as shown at K, and leaving suiiicient space, hh,within the drainage-tube and around the injcction-tube for thenecessary discharge of all waste fluids. This form of construction isnow considered preferable, but the same results may be attained by twoindependent tubes attached together similarly to the two barrels of adouble-barreled gun, the one being used and operated as aninjection-tube and the other as a discharge or drainage tube, the twotubes being irmly and rigidly attached7 but the injection-tube beingentirely separate and independent fromthe inside of the drainage-tube.

Upon and around the drainage-tube G is mounted and secured at fand e thetampon H, made of rubber or other easily-yielding flexible andcompressible material, of a bulbous shape, and having the entering end esuitably tapered to a somewhat egg-shaped form to fit and occlude theexternal orifice of the human vagina. g

In operation the end d of the inductiontube B of the syringe orsimilarly-operating apparatus O is merged in the irrigating-luidcontained inasuitable vessel, A, and the internally-operating end Eofthe irrigatoris passed into the vagina and inserted or pressed inuntil the tapering or occluding end e of the tampon H is sufficientlywedged into` the external orifice of the vagina completely to occludeit. By the usual compression and relaxation of the bulb ofthe syringe Othe irri` gating-fluid is forced through the tube E and IOO -in a vesselbelow.

discharged in spray through the several perforations in the nozzle ainto and against the internal walls and lining membrane of the vaginaand neck and mouth of the womb. The irrigation being sufficientlycontinued,the irrigatinguid naturally flows out, and is dischargedthrough the drainage-tube G, following the spaces h h, and passingfinally through and being discharged by the eXible tube c. Should it bedesirable to use the same irrigating-iluid more than once in continuedapplication, the induction and drainage tubes may be inserted in thesame vessel, which is then placed below the patient. If a continuousirrigation is required, the vessel containing the iiuid may be placed atan altitude above the patient, and the flow, once started by means ofthe syringe, will continue on the principle `of the siphon until thesupply of fluid is eX- hausted, the waste passing off through thedrainage-tube, as before, and being received If it is desired that theiiuid be retained in the vagina for a considerable time, this end may beaccomplished by closing the drainage-tube,either by a suitablemechanical device, or by compressing the iieXible attachment of thedrainage-tube between the thumb and finger, so preventing the escape ofthe fluid, andby the same means, together with, the continued action ofthe syringe, the vagina may be distended to its full capacity, therebyputting its walls upon the stretch and separating its ruge. After theirrigation is completed a few additional compressions of the syringewill entirely force out and cleanse the irrigating-iiuid from thevagina.

Among the advantages arising from the use of our device may bementioned, iirst, the simple and painless manner in which the instrumentmay be introduced within even the most sensitive vagina and efficientlyoperated by the patient or individual herself without extraneous manualassistance or the presence vof a medical or other attendant; second, theperfect occlusion of vaginal orifices of varying sizes, effected by theconical elastic and eompressible tampon without the intervention of aspeculum or other extraneous auxiliary appliance; third, the applicationof fluid directly to the walls ofthe vagina and neck and mouth of theuterus in a spray; fourth, the improved drainage, which is more perfectthan any hitherto obtained; fifth, the distention of the vagina by thegentle means of equable hydrostatic pressure, whereby the rugee of thevagina are entirely separated and the irrigating-iiuid brought incontact with every part of its surface; sixth, the retention ofthe iiuidwithin the vagina in direct contact with its walls, and also with theneck and month of the uterus for any length of time required; seventh,the expulsion of all fluid from the vagina before the tampon is removedat the termination of each f period of irrigation; eighth, the effectualand cleanly operation of the instrument, and the fact that the patientmay occupy any desirable position during the operation.

We are aware that vaginal irrigators have been used with drainage andinjection tubes operating in connection; but they have not in realitybeen combined in one integral and identical instrument and mounted withan elastic compressible tampon, and therefore We do not claim, broadly,the mere operation ofa vaginal syringe in connection with adrainage-ductor discharge-tube; but

What we do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a liquid-forcing apparatus, an injection-tubeconnected therewith, a drainage-tube attached to said injection-tube,and a tampon consisting ofahollow elastic and compressible soft-rubberbulb surrounding and carried by said tubes and tapering at its innerend, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination ofthe injection-tube, the drainagetube G, of greaterdiameter, surrounding and rigidly attached to the same, and the tamponH, carried by tube G, the injection-tube being curved up at its outerend at an angle to the nozzle portion to form a handle, and beingprovided upon its lower 9 side with the ring F, for the insertion of thelinger of the operator, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the dischargetube G, the surrounding tampon bulbH, and the rigid injection-tube E E', the latter being arranged withinand secured to the tube G, and passing out laterally through the sidethereof, to connect with the liquid-forcing apparatus and form aconvenient handle for the instrument, substantially as described.

JOHN WESLEY GORDON. GEORGE TURNER BLANCHARD.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. CURRIER, SARA S. EATON.

IOO

